The Arizona sentinel., 1887-11-05
TORPEDO FISH.
The Electricity in Them Will Knock
 a Man Down.
How a Savannah Athlete Tried to Pick One Up on Bet-Tho Shocks Invcsti- gated by Scientists-CuriOus
 Results shown.

On the beach of Tybec, the other day, an old fisherman in oilsbins was unloading a boat that had been full of fish, when lusty young man clad in white trousers and white flannel shirt, met the old fellows eye.
 You look like 8 likely hefter, " called out the old fisherman, his hands and arms meanwhile falling to the perpendicular and merry twinkle taking possession of his eyes.
 "A likely whatP" rather indignantly reioined the youth.
 "A likely hcfter-a chap who can lift heap" was the reply.
 ''Yes; am considered pretty strong in the Savannah Athletic Club" was inc answer
 'D.d you ever lift much fsh?" asked 1he old fellow. throwing huge netful of tinkers on the dock. and looking his companion over with critical eye.
 "I never saw the fish couldn't lift"
 The fisherman thrust his hand into his pocket, from which, after a violent struggle and much invective, he hauled out very flat, light leather pocket book, that was closed with strap and piece of rope-yarn. He took from it a clean ten-dollar bill and said: I'm going on eighty-one years old next muster day. but I'll bet you ten dol lars even you can't lift fish that l can."
 ''Where's your fishP" asked the youth.
 Well, I'll tell you. Here's fish, :" and he poked among the tinkers and pointed to large, solid and skate like fish in the bottom of the dory. Lets see; it's about five foot up to the dock. I'll bet you the ten dollars you can't toss the fish up there"
 '.I don't want to take your money" replied the young man, magnanimous- iy, as number of spectators drew around. "Butif you've got a half a dozen of the fish, string lem all to- gether and give me something worth doing. I've lifted 800 pounds before breakfast.n
 'Oh, yes. I've heard tell of you" said the old man, somewhat warmly. You're the man that ate piece of rubber hose for breakfast. and didn't find out it wasn't sausage till some- body told you. See that thumb-nail?" he asked, holding up curious stub with horny growth upon it. "Well, l served prentice once to a box maker. and used to put in all the screws with that nail, and pull 'cm out with my teeth when they broke eff Ton know me, and I'll stick to it you can't heave that fish up to the dock, and there's the money"
 The Savannah athlete. thus called upon. deposited ten dollars with a well-kn own gentleman who had joined inc party, and went down the ladder into the boat, while the old fisherman climbed up on the dock to watch the feat.
 Stand back therer' shouted the boss tosser, rolling up his sleeves. "This fish might hit you, old man, and knock some of the blow out of you"
 "Hcave away" responded the man in Oil-skins, tipping a wink at the crowd in general.
 The young man now stepped into the dory and poked away the tinkers- small mackerel-that were sliding about. Standing on the edge of the boat he stopped down. grasped the skate-like fish and lifted. raising it about foot. Then, uttering yell. he staggered moment and fell with a resounding splash into the water, nearly capsizing the boat in accom- plishing the feat, which was received with shouts of laughter from the dock. the old fisherman fairly dancing a. hornpipe on the rail
 What's the matter with You'" he shouted, as the unfortunate athlete scrambled into the dory again, swear ing like pirate. Trying to upset the boat, are you2"
 ''Who struck me? Somebody gave me a knock on the neck just as I was lifting.
 Nonsense, cried nearly every man in the crowd. "You wasn't touched. "
 "Tll take my oath l felt something hit me. If this is skin game want 10 know it." Bracing himself firmly in lhe boat, he again grasEed the fish with both hands and raised it three